Madonna vows to speak against Russia's gay propaganda law during concerts there

When Madonna takes her "MDNA" tour to St. Petersburg, Russia in August, she plans to be speak out against a new law that bans lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered "propaganda" that could give minors "the false perception that traditional and nontraditional relationships are socially equal."

AP FILE PHOTOMadonna says she will speak out against a new anti-gay law in St. Petersburg, Russia, when she performs there in August.

“I will come to St. Petersburg to speak up for the gay community and to give strength and inspiration to anyone who is or feels oppressed,” the pop star said by email late Tuesday and reported by Bloomberg News. “I’m a freedom fighter.”

Homosexuality was illegal in the Soviet era and wasn't decriminalized in Russia until 1993. The new law was signed March 7 by St. Petersburg Gov. Georgy Poltavchenko, an ally of President-elect Vladimir Putin and a former KGB officer.

“I don’t run away from adversity,” Madonna, who has used her fame to support gay rights, said in the email. “I will speak during my show about this ridiculous atrocity.”

According to the Bloomberg report, the Russian Orthodox Church, which is the dominant religious body in the country of 143 million people, considers homosexuality a sin. Approximately 69 percent of Russians identify themselves as Orthodox, according to the report, which cited a poll last August by the Moscow-based Levada center.

“There’s lots of criticism from the media community about this law, but somehow most of the media forget about this crucial word — minors,” said Vladimir Vigilyansky, a spokesman for the Moscow Patriarchy, in a phone interview with Bloomberg. “It’s about propaganda among minors, not about banning homosexuality itself.”

Madonna has stirred up controversy in Russia in previous visits. Six years ago, Bloomberg reports, her performance of "Live to Tell" — which she sang while wearing a crown of thorns and dangling from a cross — sparked protests by Russian Orthodox activists.

The Bloomberg report also pointed out that Russia is preparing to host the Winter Olympics in 2014 and the soccer World Cup in 2018. The new law prompted Canada to warn its citizens traveling to St. Petersburg — the country's top tourist destination — to avoid displays of public affections, "as homosexuals can be targets of violence."